At Christmas time for several years we have written about the different characters that have a part to play in the Advent story throughout the gospels on this blog.  It is one of my favorite times of year because it causes me to really dig deeper into a story that I’ve been told my whole life, and to understand it more fully in all of its depth and complexity.  It doesn’t matter how many times I study it, the Lord never fails to reveal new truth year by year. 

This year, however, rather than finding new depth or meaning in an old story, I have been struck by the simplicity of how and why Jesus came and the magnitude of the love that brought Him here.

Isaiah 9:6 is often quoted at this time of year:

“For a child is born to us,

    a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

    And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor,[d] Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus most certainly came to a humble couple in even more humble accommodations to live and die here on this imperfect earth for our sins, but do we really grasp that it did not start one starry night in Bethlehem?

If you read the entirety of Isaiah chapter 9 you will see that Isaiah’s prophecy came to the people of Israel when they were living in exile and captivity in a foreign land.   They languished in a country far from home where political turmoil and cruelty marked their lives daily, and hindered their worship of the one true God.  This prophecy was God’s encouragement that this conflict would not last forever and that He had a plan for their deliverance.  But God’s plan did not begin the night Jesus was born.  It did not even begin when Isaiah spoke those prophetic words 700 years before that Bethlehem night.

In the gospel of John chapter 1 verses 1-5, John tells us that, “In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.  The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”  Later in that same chapter (verse 14) he clears it up even further, (in case we missed what he was trying to tell us): “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

God’s plan for us began “in the beginning” before time and space, there was Jesus and He already loved us.  Before we even were He loved us!  And even then, He already knew…

He knew that the garden would not be our home for long on this earth as He originally intended (Genesis 3:22-24).  He knew that He would promise us all that we need, and yet we would doubt Him and try to make things happen ourselves (Genesis 16).  He knew that He would provide for us and we would still grumble against Him again (Exodus 16) and again (Numbers 11), and again (Number 14).  He knew that time and again, throughout history He would deliver and save and heal only for some to still turn away and break His heart.  He knew.

He knew that the only answer, the only perfect sacrifice would be for Him to come to this cruel and painful world.  To walk with us in our fears and heartache.  He knew that He would have to die.  He knew all of this and He loved us so much that He came anyway.

Jesus’ story did not begin in Bethlehem.  The story of Jesus is written on every page of the Bible.  He was there for it all.  

He knew that His sacrifice would not be the perfect sacrifice if it ended in death.  After walking with us in the fire and the cloud, He then came to walk with us in the flesh, only to then go before us and fight the battle to defeat death, hell and the grave for our ultimate victory.

In the light of all of that, the words of Isaiah’s prophecy are so much more than an early baby announcement:

“The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
    and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest
    and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
    and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
    just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
The boots of the warrior
    and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
    They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[d] Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.”

Jesus came as a baby.  He lived as a man.  He died our Savior and He rose to the right hand of the Father to be the Bringer of Peace, the End of Conflict, Freer of the Captives, Breaker of Chains, and a Light to those in darkness. Praise the Lord!

It’s amazing to think that He knew all of that in the time before time even began, but do you know what is even more amazing?  He knew you.  He knew your name and He saw your face through it all.  

For those who would argue that this prophecy is not for us today because it was spoken to a specific people at a time in history, I want to tell you one more person that Jesus is: He is the Beginning and the End, He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is the author and greatest player of this story that we call life, and He is the great Connector of the Bible from beginning to end because He is the Word!  Why would God have had all of it written down and preserved and debated for centuries if it wasn’t for you today?  He did it all for you because He loves you.

I pray that you go forward into 2026 with audacious faith, knowing that you are so loved, believing that the Word of God is for you in its entirety, and knowing that God has greater things in store for you if you will just linger in His presence this year.  Blessings, sisters!  We love you!

by Stephanie S.

We first meet Mary at perhaps the scariest moment of her life, when she is face to face with an angel. Angels in scripture almost always begin their messages with variations of, “Don’t worry! Be not afraid! Chill out.” In the Gospel of Luke we meet Mary as a young teen girl engaged to Joseph, a hardworking carpenter or perhaps even a stone mason. 

Gabriel even calls her, “Favored one” which is a beautiful revelation on her character, however, Luke tells us that Mary was greatly troubled by his greeting. Do you take compliments well? I surely don’t. I get nervous and overly deny any sort of compliments and try to change the subject quickly. Have you ever wondered what Mary was thinking when it was revealed to her that she had found favor with her creator God? 

Mary wasn’t born during a time where scripture was easily accessible, especially to young girls, and most of her knowledge about God was gleaned from her time growing up with her family. She certainly did not have her own scrolls to read at home and was more likely learning how to become a wife and mother herself and not attending lectures and readings of the holy texts. What blows my mind is how, by the world’s standards 2,000 years ago and perhaps even our standards today, God chose wrong. He didn’t find the cleanest, wealthiest, or most popular family. God chose a humble unwed girl, from a small insignificant town, who He deemed favorable, to carry and birth His son, the Savior of the world. God choosing Mary was a divine gift to not only her, but to every woman and girl who has ever dreamed of being used by God. A dream that has roots reaching back to the birth of our very savior. 

”And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33

Mary’s response is excellent. She doesn’t comment on the name choice or gender of her child. She doesn’t stammer and stutter at the majesty of being chosen to birth the Most High. She doesn’t remark on the fact that he will be royalty and have a throne that extends into forever. No, Mary’s response is, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary is young and humble, but here we see how she sees into the details. None of the other awe inspiring things can happen, if she doesn’t conceive and birth this miracle king. 

Gabriel doesn’t seem frustrated at her attempt to fathom not only this amazing conversation, but also how she will fulfill her part in it. He answers her not only with exactly how this will all occur, but he also reveals a sweet surprise-her beloved cousin Elizabeth is pregnant. Not only is God performing miracles in her life but also in the lives of her relatives. He ends this powerful revelation with, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” That is a reminder we all can cling to, not just Mary. When we are stressed and overwhelmed or devastated and depleted of hope, may the Holy Spirit stir this truth in our hearts, for nothing will be impossible with God.” 

Mary’s answer to Gabriel is beautiful and brief. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 That’s it. Her entire response after the revelation that she, a young unwed girl, will become pregnant and give birth to not just any child, but the Son of God. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  Mary was immediately obedient. Her deep faith and humility is evident in her deep trust in this divine encounter. She didn’t ask question after question about what her family or betrothed would think of her. She didn’t ask for special help or insight into how everything would happen. She heard the angel of the Lord speak about God’s will and she quickly and obediently accepted. May we too have such confident boldness with what the Lord reveals to us. “Yes Lord. I am your servant. Let it be to me according to your word. I trust you.” 

Fast forwarding through most of Mary’s pregnancy we meet her and Joseph on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This journey should have taken about 3 maybe 4 days on foot for a young healthy couple. Have you ever traveled with a heavily pregnant woman? Have you been that woman? It is painful and uncomfortable and that’s with all of our modern day amenities! This journey was anywhere from 70-90 miles depending on the exact starting point and ending place as well as the route that had to be taken. My heart goes out to both Mary and Joseph as they continue to do the Lord’s will despite everything.   

After a long journey, in a town that wasn’t their home, Mary’s birth pains begin. Or perhaps they began while they traveled. Maybe the journey started the birthing process and every mile closer to Bethlehem held more pain. This promised child making his way into the world. Born of a virgin ushered into the world, not with fanfare and riches, but in humility and love. 

Now that I have birthed children of my own, I think of Mary and the Christmas story very differently. Were there midwives to assist Mary in her long and painful birth? Did Jesus have trouble latching? Did Mary, overcome with exhaustion, place Jesus on her chest skin to skin while she rested and recovered? 

 Mary is without a doubt a beautiful and instrumental component in God’s redemption story for humanity. She is a beautiful example of audacious faith we can be inspired by. May we also, as children of God, be ready to be used boldly by God exactly where He has us. Let our Savior use us to show this weary world what the thrill of hope truly is.

by MaKenzie V.